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How to Find Bank Foreclosures and Distressed Sales

by Tamra Butler


How to Find Bank Foreclosures and Distressed Sales

How to Find Bank Foreclosures and Distressed Sales Everyone wants a hot deal. For those who have the ability/desire to work with a home that is, in most cases, less than perfect, foreclosures and distressed sales represent some of the hottest deals out there If you want to locate distressed properties, the first thing you have to understand is that no one will usually advertise their home as a “distressed property” unless they are absolutely desperate to unload their home. Homeowners,...

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How to handle a multiple offer situation

by Tamra Butler


How to handle a multiple offer situation

How to handle a multiple offer situation Over the last few years, buyer’s hunger for properties has been insatiable. As a result, properly priced homes were fetching multiple offers on a consistent basis. Though things have settled a bit recently, we’re still in a seller’s market, and that means the chance your listing will receive multiple offers on it is still very much a reality. But, as exciting as having a bidding war on your property is, it can also provide for...

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How to Sell Your Home Fast and for the Most Amount of Money

by Tamra Butler


How to Sell Your Home Fast and for the Most Amount of Money

How to Sell Your Home Fast and for the Most Amount of Money The market has been moving at a pretty good clip over the last several years and it appears that things are going to stay that way for a while. According to the Case Shiller Home Price Index across the United States have increased roughly 45% over the last 5 years. Despite all of the amazing things that have been happening in virtually every market across the country, including ours, one thing still rings true no matter...

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If your home inspection report comes back bad, now what?

by Tamra Butler


If your home inspection report comes back bad, now what?

If your home inspection report comes back bad, now what? One of the biggest deal killers for any real estate transaction is the home inspection. It strikes fear into the hearts of sellers and buyers...even though virtually everything about a home can be repaired or replaced. The good news is that if you have a great real estate agent and a competent home inspector, you can usually handle a failed inspection report properly without having to panic in the process. The key thing to remember...

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What is the Interest write off deduction?

by Tamra Butler


What is the Interest write off deduction?

What is the Interest write off deduction? Tax deductible interest is a borrowing expense that a taxpayer can claim on a federal or state tax return to reduce taxable income. Mortgage interest for both first and second (home equity) mortgages, mortgage interest for investment properties are among the list of deductions you can take on your taxes. This is another reason why owning a home is more favorable than renting. In addition to building equity in a home that you can call yours, you...

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Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money

by Tamra Butler


Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money

Why landscaping can make your home sell faster and for more money Plain and simple, the quality of your landscaping determines whether or not your home feels inviting from the outside. Curb appeal is what people call it and it’s a key ingredient in the decision to buy a home to more than 71 percent of homebuyers. As you know, landscaping plays a huge role in the curb appeal that you present to prospective buyers for your home. The first impression is key: if buyers don’t like...

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Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling?

by Tamra Butler


Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling?

Why you should make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home when selling Who knows your home better than you? The short answer is: nobody. And because of that, you should take the time to make a list of the top 20 features you love about your home before you put it on the market. You see, if you like those things about your house, then so will someone else. And, in an effort to help your agent get your home sold faster and for more money, it will help if you point out...

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When is the Best Season of the Year to Buy to get the Best Deal

by Laurie OBrien


When is the Best Season of the Year to Buy to get the Best Deal

When is the Best Season of the Year to Buy to get the Best Deal The housing market here in the United States has been moving at a blistering pace for a while now. On the whole, home prices increased more than 33% from February 2020 to June 2022. What’s even better news is that It’s expected that the housing market will continue to climb in the future — albeit a little more slowly now — due to the changes that were made in the lending market coming out of the mortgage...

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How much you should put down to purchase your new home?

by Laurie OBrien


How much you should put down to purchase your new home?

How much should you put down to purchase your new home? Historically, home buyers seek to put down 20% when they purchase a home. However, according to a recent survey by The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the actual national average is much closer to 10%. When it comes to first-time homebuyers, the average down payment is at 4% as per the same survey. While down payment requirements vary based on the lender you choose to work with, the amount required will usually depend...

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Why You Should Get a Home Warranty When You List Your Home

by Laurie OBrien


Why You Should Get a Home Warranty When You List Your Home

Why You Should Get a Home Warranty When You List Your Home Home warranties aren’t just for buyers anymore. In the past, buyers have asked sellers to pay for a home warranty to give them a year of protection after it sells on roughly 16 major systems in the house including things like the electrical system, appliances, hot water heater, furnace, etc. Overall, it makes sense because the first time claim on a home warranty for most buyers runs around $1,500 to 1,600 plus a deductible...

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